The Great Blue Heron is a very territorial bird.
They are extremely protective of their "space" and will defend it if necessary.
That includes human trespassers!
I had the misfortune of meeting one while walking for turtles at dawn one morning.
Usually, they will walk up the beach, then go back to the shoreline.
They also will just simply fly away.
Not this morning.
Apparently, I was keeping him from tasty bits at the water's edge, and he didn't appreciate my intrusion.
Instead of flying away, he flew straight at my face.
Needless to say, I ate the sand that morning ducking down into the beach.
He was not happy I was disturbing him, and he let me know it.
I don't know if you've ever had one fly at you, but I didn't want to argue with that spear of a beak.
The beak is only about 5 or 6 inches long, but I didn't want to become a part of it.
They are also about 4 feet tall.
Their wingspan is about 6 feet.
Their S shaped neck can strike at 90mph.
They also have a most annoying squawking sound.
Altogether terrifying at 5 am in the morning.
Not a bird to tangle with for sure.
They also have a very bad habit of learning to steal.
Fishermen know this and will try to protect their catch before the Blue can get it.
We once were kayaking in the Florida Keys and saw a group of fishermen walk to the water to fish.
No sooner did their hooks hit the water, than the Great Blue showed up.
They told us he stole a fish from their rods the day before.
Not a fun way to lose a fish.
I am really pleased with this painting because it is a rework of a previous piece.
The frames are no longer available at Hobby Lobby, and I am trying to salvage what I can.
The bird is the same that was on the work previously but now is raised up on the edge dimensionally.
There is also an additional heron in the background.
It involved a lot of sanding, Painting with Kilz and then the white acrylic.
I also worked on "set ups" for paintings today as well as designed a mural for a couple in Florida.
Hopefully they still want him, but it does mean I will be on a ladder or scaffold for a couple of days.
Good news is, they have invited me to stay with them while working.
They seem to have an incredible art collection and are committed to having one of my pieces, although they want it on the wall instead of a canvas.
Anyway, today was a good day.
All four new rounds that Chris reworked with frames have been painted white
with both Kilz and White Acrylic.
Now, to figure out what to paint on them!
"The Sentinel" acrylic on wood, 24 inches
Day 46 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025.
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